Department: RCSI Library
Reporting to: Ruth Geraghty
Location: 26 York Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Contract/Duration: Specified purpose contract, up to 10 months
Closing Date: 27th January 2026
Summary of Post
Sonraí Irish Data Stewardship Network was established in 2022 to enable the development of data stewardship skills across the Irish research landscape. In this next phase, Sonraí will transition from a grant-funded project, to a self-sustaining network by providing fee-based, professional training in data stewardship to a range of audiences, including data professionals and researchers.
The Post-Doctoral Researcher role will coordinate a number of tasks to further the development of the Sonraí network, including the development and launch of a micro-credential in data stewardship; the establishment of a data champions programme; communications and events to further establish the network.
The role will involve communication with a range of audiences (users, partners, collaborators, lecturers, support staff, funders and so on), and lots of collaboration with colleagues from across the Irish academic sector, in particular our project affiliates in the TROPIC (TRaining for OPen research in an Irish Context) project in Maynooth University, and the Responsible Use of Research Metrics (RURM) project in UCD. This is an opportunity to develop your academic profile and build relationships with colleagues, peers, and more broadly. You will assist the Sonraí project partners to establish the Sonraí Data Champions programme, highlighting data stewardship excellence across the Irish research landscape and various fields, and driving the recruitment of new members to the Sonraí network. Open Research is an active growth area in the academic, public and private sectors in Ireland and worldwide, and this role will be a great opportunity to develop expertise in this emerging space. You will have lots of opportunities to publish on this topic, via blog posts, articles, and by co-authoring at least one academic journal publication.
This 12-month consortium project is led by HEAnet (www.heanet.ie), and partnered by University College Cork (www.ucc.ie) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (www.rcsi.com). The Post-Doctoral role will be hosted at RCSI Library at the St Stephen’s Green campus in Dublin, with an option for hybrid working. The role will be supervised by Ruth Geraghty, Research Data Coordinator at RCSI Library, while working closely with the project partners in Dublin and Cork.
Specific Duties
Research and co‑develop a comparative report on sustainability models for professional networks, and provide recommendations to Sonraí (WP1)
Co‑develop, curate and edit educational content for the 'Introduction to Data Stewardship' micro‑credential, based on the curriculum that has been developed by our Task & Finish group (WP2)
Organise one in‑person event for participants in the Sonraí Data Stewardship micro‑credential, to include guest speakers and networking opportunities (WP2)
Design and carry out an evaluation of the impact of the micro‑credential with first cohort of learners on this course (WP2)
Co‑develop a disciplinary data stewardship module curriculum in Health Sciences, through engagement with the Health Sciences research community (WP2)
Support the project partners with the rollout of our ‘Data Champions’ programme (WP3)
Support the project partners to develop our Sonraí mailing list, LinkedIn page and website (datastewards.ie/), to raise awareness and drive engagement with Sonraí (WP4).
Co‑author one publication (journal article) on the work of the project, contributing to the global advancement of data stewardship
Assist with progress reporting to project funders, the Sonraí Committee and Steering Group, and participate in monthly project partner meetings.
Qualifications
PhD in any discipline. We will accept applications from those about to complete a PhD.
Postgraduate qualification in library and information studies, or, health sciences, and/or,
Degree qualification or higher in a subject that includes social science research methods (interviewing, surveying, focus group, desk research).
Knowledge & Experience
Ability to collaborate and work well with others
Ability to work independently and take the lead on certain aspects of the project
Knowledge of open research/open science, data stewardship and FAIR data
Familiar with the Irish academic research landscape
Experience of developing and delivering educational content to postgraduate students
Experience of organising events, both in‑person and online
Knowledge of curriculum development
Knowledge of health research data
Track record in network development / engaging with a stakeholder community
Experience of developing a similar champions programme
We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application — we’d love to hear from you.
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